Storyboarding is an excellent way to focus on types of literary conflicts.
Having students create storyboards that show the cause and effect of different types of conflicts strengthens analytical thinking about literary concepts. Have your students choose an example of each literary conflict and depict them using the storyboard creator. In the storyboard, an example of each conflict should be visually represented, along with an explanation of the scene, and how it fits the particular category of conflict.
Goneril and Regan are initially allied with each other to gain as much power as possible; however, once Edmund comes into the picture, he drives a wedge between the sisters. As a result of his pledging his love to both women, Goneril poisons Regan. Once Regan dies, and Goneril’s husband Albany reveals he knows of her treachery, she kills herself.
King Lear realizes that he made a mistake in granting his kingdom and powers to Goneril and Regan while totally disinheriting Cordelia. He is so grief-stricken by this grave mistake that he gradually loses touch with reality, his wits only restored once Cordelia takes him in.
Edmund, as an illegitimate son, has no claim to any of his father’s lands or property. He doesn’t feel it is fair that he gets less just because his father had an affair. However, because the laws of noble society dictate that illegitimate children are not legally eligible to receive an inheritance by their birthright, Edmund wants to change this by turning his father against his legitimate son, Edgar.
When King Lear realizes the grave mistake he’s made by entrusting Goneril and Regan with power, this inner turmoil is mirrored in the raging storm that takes over the night. The storm threatens Lear’s health as he stands outside, tearing his hair and crying in despair.
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Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in King Lear.
Organize your class into small groups, assigning each group a major conflict type from King Lear (e.g., Man vs. Man, Man vs. Self, Man vs. Society, Man vs. Nature). Each group prepares arguments about how their assigned conflict drives character development and plot. Encourage students to use evidence from the play and their storyboards. This debate format boosts critical thinking and helps students articulate their understanding of literary conflict in a lively, collaborative way.
Choose key scenes from King Lear that illustrate different conflicts. Assign each student a character and a conflict motivation. Have students act out the scenes, focusing on showing how conflict affects their character's choices and emotions. This active approach engages kinesthetic learners and deepens comprehension of the play’s themes.
Provide students with a graphic organizer featuring columns for conflict type, characters involved, cause, effect, and resolution. As students read, they track how each conflict starts, intensifies, and resolves. This structured visual tool clarifies complex plotlines and supports note-taking and analysis.
Invite students to write journal entries from the perspective of a character in King Lear facing a major conflict. Prompt them to explore the character’s internal thoughts, feelings, and possible solutions. This reflective practice deepens empathy and connects literary analysis to social-emotional skills.
The main types of literary conflict in King Lear are Character vs. Character (e.g., Goneril vs. Regan), Character vs. Self (Lear’s struggle with his own decisions), Character vs. Society (Edmund fighting societal norms), and Character vs. Nature (Lear facing the storm as a metaphor for his turmoil).
Students can create storyboards to visually represent and explain different conflicts in King Lear. By illustrating scenes and describing the type of conflict, students deepen their understanding and analytical skills.
An example of man vs. self conflict in King Lear occurs when Lear regrets giving his kingdom to Goneril and Regan, leading to his emotional breakdown and loss of sanity.
Understanding literary conflict helps students grasp characters’ motivations, themes, and plot developments in King Lear, making literary analysis more meaningful and accessible.
Teachers should instruct students to: identify at least three conflicts in King Lear, categorize each type, illustrate them in storyboard cells, and write a brief explanation for each scene depicted.